Panthers rule out RB Chuba Hubbard; Rico Dowdle ready for Cowboys

Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard will miss his second straight game when Carolina hosts the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Hubbard (calf) didn't practice this week and was ruled out on Friday's injury report. He last played on Sept. 28 against the New England Patriots.

Hubbard's services weren't missed during last week's 27-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins as Rico Dowdle stepped in and ran for a career-high 206 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries. That tied Jonathan Stewart (2009) for the second-highest single-game rushing output in Panthers history, trailing DeAngelo Williams (210 in 2012).

Dowdle, 27, will again be the lead back against the Cowboys. Dowdle rushed for a career-high 1,079 yards for Dallas last season.

"There are going to be emotions, but we have to set those things aside," Carolina coach Dave Canales said of Dowdle playing his former team.

Dowdle was a member of the Cowboys from 2020-24. After the game against the Dolphins, Dowdle warned the Cowboys that it was time to "buckle up."

Dallas coach Brian Schottenheimer showed that the message was received.

"It'll be good to see Rico this weekend," Schottenheimer told reporters. "I know we're gonna have to buckle up, he said. We'll bring our seat belts, Rico. We'll buckle up. Can't wait to see him, though."

Dowdle has a team-leading 289 yards and two touchdowns on 51 rushing attempts this season. Hubbard has 217 rushing yards on 53 carries.

Right tackle Taylor Moton (elbow), defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (toe) and cornerback Akayleb Evans (hamstring) also were ruled out for Carolina. Four players are questionable: receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps), tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) and cornerbacks Mike Jackson (ribs) and Chau Smith-Wade (chest). Coker would need to be activated from injured reserve to play Sunday.

--Field Level Media